Unlocking your potential Housing The Level Advanced Apprenticeship in Housing Independent Living Validated by the Chartered Institute of Housing and City & Guilds Generic Skills
Level Advanced Apprenticeship in Housing A definition of Apprenticeships An Apprenticeship is a job with an accompanying skills development programme. Designed by employers in the sector; it allows the apprentice to gain technical knowledge and real practical experience, along with functional and personal skills, required for their immediate job and future career. These are acquired through a mix of learning in the workplace, formal off the job training and the opportunity to practice and embed new skills in a real work context. This broader mix differentiates the Apprenticeship experience from training delivered to meet narrowly focused job needs. On completion of the Apprenticeship, the apprentice must be able to undertake the full range of duties, in the range of circumstances appropriate to the job, confidently and competently to the standard set by the industry. Whilst many employers are already aware of the many benefits of apprenticeships and currently have taken on apprentices in Customer Service or Business and Administration, many employers are either unaware of, or unable to access apprenticeships specifically in Housing. As a housing provider, it is natural that apprenticeships specifically in Housing are likely to be a good fit for your organisation. The Centre for Housing and Support run programmes throughout England and have considerable experience in delivering Apprenticeships in Housing programmes. Facts for employers There is an array of funding and incentives available, including: 100% of training fees paid for 16-18 year-old apprentices; huge subsidies for apprentices who are 19 and over; Small Employer Incentives of 1,500 per apprentice for SMEs not currently offering Apprenticeships. 96% of employers that take on an apprentice report benefits to their business. 90% of employers see vocationally-trained staff as vital to their business; skills and knowledge have never been more valued. 81% of apprenticeship employers agree that apprentices boost productivity. 60% of employers value apprentices' skills over those of graduates for making a difference to their business from day one. Hiring and training Apprentices can actually be less costly than traditional advertising and recruitment, whilst the proven loyalty of apprentices also reduces the costs associated with high staff turnover. The flexibility of Apprenticeships means that apprentices can quickly adapt to changing needs. Facts for apprentices An Apprenticeship gives you relevant skills and experience that employers need today and will tomorrow. You'll have a qualification that is more useful to your industry, and skills that last a lifetime. Many apprentices climb the ladder to management roles - and are getting paid to learn along the way. A third (2%) of all former apprentices received a promotion within 12 months of finishing their apprenticeship. After finishing, the majority of apprentices (85%) will stay in employment, with two-thirds (6%) staying with the same employer. Many employers agree that apprentices make a contribution to their business from day one, unlike graduates, who can require intensive training. These facts come from surveys by the NAS, BIS and City & Guilds. Support offered by the National Apprenticeship Service The National Apprenticeship Service will advertise apprenticeships vacancies for your organisation FREE OF CHARGE. All you need to do is contact the CHS and complete a form. Vacancies can also be placed with Jobs Centres and local careers offices. The Level Advanced Apprenticeship in Housing has been designed to attract new people into the sector, make housing a career of choice for people new to the sector and up-skill existing employees to Level in order that organisations can provide sustainable housing provision and to support vulnerable people within their communities. SME Grants available There are 1500 grants available for organisations with fewer than 50 employees, recruiting Apprentices aged 16-2, who have not recruited an Apprentice within the last 12 months. For further information, please request a fact sheet from us or visit the National Apprenticeship Service website.
What job roles are suited to the Advanced Apprenticeship? Too many to mention! Examples of the type of job roles suitable for the advanced apprenticeship are Housing Officers, Housing Support Officers, Scheme Managers and Community Support Officers, Customer Service Advisors. These are just a few! Eligibility Advanced Apprenticeships in Housing are open to anyone within a housing role, provided he or she works a minimum 16 hour week (although 0 hours or more is preferable) and does not have qualifications higher than a Level, e.g. Degrees, or Higher National Diplomas; or a very similar qualification (such as an NVQ Level in Housing or a Level Certificate in Housing). Anyone aged 16 and over is eligible for the subsidised rates subject to meeting the above criteria Apprenticeships can apply to new starters and existing staff with several years of experience. How long will the training take? Advanced Apprenticeships in Housing are usually expected to take 18 months. Level Framework The Advanced apprenticeship consists of the following qualifications: CIH Level Certificate in Housing Practice (technical certificate) The technical certificate is the knowledge and understanding element of the apprenticeship programme that is delivered by flexible learning through the Chartered Institute of Housing Certificate in Housing Practice. Flexible study simply means the course is delivered by a blend of attended study days and learning at home and work. The technical certificate is an assignment-based course, delivered through regional courses held across the country. We start courses at a variety of regional locations and at various times throughout the year. This element of the Apprenticeship can also be delivered as an in-house programme. There are study days which the learner needs to attend over a 5 week period. The CIH level Certificate comprises the following units: 1. Professional Practice Skills for Housing 2. Equality & Diversity for Housing. Delivery of Affordable Housing Services in the UK. Prevention and management of rent arrears 5. Occupancy, tenure & lettings 6. Involving housing service users. Learners also select two modules from the following units: Accessible and Adaptable Housing Dealing with Anti-social behaviour in housing Housing and younger people Independent living for older people. Homelessness services and Prevention Managing leasehold housing services Personalisation and delivering support for independent living Planning support for independent living Providing Telecare services Handling Telecare customer data safely and securely The context of Telecare services provision Homelessness amongst ex-offenders: its effects and prevention The social context of housing in the UK The legal framework for housing Community Development Repairs and maintenance in housing organisations* Community action for neighbourhoods* Customer service in a housing context* Customer service standards for housing maintenance* Health and safety for housing management and maintenance* Role of the Support worker for independent living* House construction* Housing benefit* Housing maintenance systems* Housing policy and affordable housing* Introducing social welfare* Maintaining safe and secure residential areas* Managing empty properties* Managing gypsy and traveller sites* Managing neighbourhoods* Managing resources for caretaking and concierge services* Planning and development for housing regeneration* Regeneration and renewal* Supporting those in fuel poverty to reduce energy costs* Sustainable communities* The economic context of affordable housing* The framework for housing advice* The impact of housing conditions on health* *these modules will be available subject to demand There are six assignments to complete in total City and Guilds Level Certificate in Housing (NVQ) (Competence element) The City and Guilds qualification is made up of units of competence which detail what the apprentice must do in order to be deemed competent. The apprentice will also have to provide evidence that they have the knowledge and understanding to be able to perform their job.
The competence qualification is completed in the workplace and supported by an Assessor who will make regular visits and provide advice and guidance while the learner completes their online electronic portfolio. The Level Certificate in Housing has mandatory units which make up 15 credits and the candidate must choose a following 1 credits from a list of optional units. The Mandatory Units Unit Title Promote safe, ethical and sustainable practice in Housing Plan own professional development within Housing Develop positive relationships with customers and housing colleagues in providing a housing service Credit Value Employment Rights and Responsibilities 2 The Optional Units Managing housing and assets Respond to customer requests for repairs 2 Inspect the condition of property Organise the maintenance and repair of property Allocate accommodation to meet customer s needs Set up and manage tenancy, licence and leaseholder agreements Respond to possible breaches of agreement in the housing sector Sell property to customers within a housing organisation setting Provide housing advice and guidance to customers Manage empty properties 2 Provide a housing rent service Manage temporary accommodation Deal with customers by telephone. (Level 2 imported from Customer Service) Developing and involving individuals and communities Support the customer s engagement with the local community through identification of support networks and development opportunities Arrange and facilitate meetings with housing customers and others Work with customers and groups to develop the community Develop and sustain partnership working arrangements in a housing environment Develop and promote customer involvement in a housing organisation Housing Support Services Contribute to the development, implementation and review of support plans with individuals within a housing environment Support social and personal development needs of customers within a housing environment 5 5 7 2 Help customers to move and settle into new living environments Contribute to protecting customers from danger harm and abuse in a housing environment Direct work with customers who use a housing service Enable housing customers to establish and maintain contacts and interests in isolating situations Provide support to customers to reduce the risk of homelessness Plan, allocate and monitor work of a team 5 Support team members in identifying, developing and implementing new ideas Set objectives and provide support for team members Address performance problems affecting team members Support learning and development within own area of responsibility Functional Skills Learners will be required to complete Functional Skills qualifications. These are practical skills in English and Maths. Functional Skills are not just about knowledge in English and Maths; they are also about knowing when and how to use the knowledge in real-life and work situations. Apprentices will satisfy the Apprenticeship requirement for the relevant Functional Skills qualification if, in that subject, they have achieved and can provide certificates for any one of the following qualifications:- GCSE/iGCSE Grade C or above A and AS' Levels Grade E or above Key Skills, Level 2 or above Functional Skills, Level 2 0 Levels Grade C or above Functional Skills qualifications are achieved through achieving a pass in a speaking and listening element for the English together with online tests, taking a total of 2½ - hours, and an online test for the maths which takes 1½ hours. For the Level Apprenticeship, these tests are at Level 2 (equivalent in level to a GCSE at C or above). Within a few days of your sign-up you will receive log-in details for a website called Guroo from our Functional Skills Co-ordinator. On the Guroo website, you will complete initial assessments which allow us to see the level you are working at, and allocate you a tailored Individual Learning Plan and appropriate level of support. These initial assessments need to be completed within four days of receiving your log-in details. This is very important as you will not be able to start your course until these have been completed. 6 5 5
Personal Learning and Thinking Skills Personal, Learning and Thinking skills comprises six groups of skills, namely Creative Thinking, Independent Enquiry, Reflective Learning, Team Working, Self-Management and Effective Participation. The apprentice will need to complete a PLTS workbook in order to evidence PLTS and help to recognise the skills they have developed. Progression opportunities The apprentice will receive a certificate for the achievement of the individual components of the framework; the NVQ, CIH certificate and Functional Skills. The Centre for Housing and Support will also claim the national completion certificate from Asset Skills and provide evidence of completion of all the mandatory outcomes for the apprentice. After completing the Level Intermediate Apprenticeship in Housing, the learner has the following progression options: CIH Level Certificate in Housing Practice or The Foundation Degree in Housing with Support Contact us for further information about these. The cost of an apprenticeship For current prices, please contact a CHS member of staff on 01905 727272. The Centre for Housing & Support course fee includes all your tuition, learning materials and comprehensive Tutor support via telephone or email. An administrative charge of 10% of the total fees will be retained or charged if you book onto a course and then subsequently withdraw within 10 working days before the course start date. Contact details for the Centre for Housing and Support Julian Everley T: 01905 727271 E: julian.everley@chs.ac.uk Terri Workman T: 01905 72727 E: terri.workman@chs.ac.uk Address The Centre for Housing and Support Kirkham House John Comyn Drive Worcester WR 7NS Email: apprentice@chs.ac.uk Web: www.chs.ac.uk/apprentice Twitter: @TheCHS FB: www.facebook.com/thecentreforhousingandsupport
Advanced Apprenticeship in Housing Application Form About you Surname Please complete this form and return it to The Centre for Housing and Support Kirkham House John Comyn Drive Worcester WR 7NS or scan and email it to apprentice@chs.ac.uk. Please also send your CV if you have one. Forenames Mr. Mrs. Miss Ms. Date of birth Home address Your age now Postcode Home Tel Home email Mobile Tel N I No. What are you hoping to achieve by completing the apprenticeship? What type of work are you looking for, or hoping to train towards? About your qualifications to date Please refer to exemptions under Functional Skills above GCSEs Grade Date achieved English Maths A Levels Grade Date achieved Any NVQ or Key Skills achievements. (Please list them individually) Grade Date achieved Any other qualifications you have (please specify the awarding body) Grade Date achieved Do you have certificates for the above qualifications? Yes If yes, please include copies with your application. No
About your current employment Organisation name Your job title Your work address County Postcode Tel work Head office address Work email County Postcode Telephone Email Your line manager Manager s email Manager s tel How many hours do you work per week? Previous employment history (if applicable) Employer Post held Start date End date Previous training details Please list any previous training you have had Modern apprenticeship National trainee Work-based learning Other If yes Date started Date completed Type of previous training/nvq/key skills Name of previous training provider If you have any disability, health problem or learning difficulty which might affect your training or work, please provide brief details here In what way does any of the above affect what you wish to do in the future?
Please indicate your preferred two optional units Optional unit 1 Optional unit 2 We will make every effort to meet your choices and will advise you should this not be possible. The course or registration fee invoice should be addressed to: Surname Forenames Department Address Post Code Email for invoicing Your Purchase Order number If your organisation is a CHS Member please quote your membership number here to take advantage of the members discount. By signing this form you acknowledge that: If your programme is sponsored, your employer and/or training agent can be given details of your attendance and progress. An administrative charge of 10% of the total fees will be retained or charged if you book onto a course and then subsequently withdraw within 10 working days before the course start date. Your Signature Date www.chs.ac.uk THE CORNWALL COLLEGE GROUP